Public Education

One of SOSOLO's priorities is engaging in public education. Many families, friends, and communities whose life are touched by having a loved one in conflict with the law face immense social and institutional stigma.

Since SOSOLO has been in operation, we have listened to countless testimonies of:

* people losing their jobs;

* losing friends and family members who disapproved of the support they provide to their incarcerated loved one;

* having to relocate to new communities;

* being bombarded with media accounts of the crimes with often distorted depictions of family members and communities.

These are a few out of many examples of the ways lives changes with the accusation of and/or committing of crime. While SOSOLO believes that people who do commit criminal offenses need to be accountable for their actions, we also take into consideration individual circumstances, and oppressions that intersect with crime such, but not limited to poverty, racism, homophobia, trans-phobia and sexism.

Because the portrayal of crime, which many people internalize is guided by sensationalism within popular media with a focus generally being placed on the 'offender', SOSOLO's engagement in public education gives voice to the largely invisible population affected first-hand by crime - families, friends, and communities of the accused/guilty person.

To date, SOSOLO has spoken to diverse audiences regarding the impacts of incarceration such as:

* Post-secondary students studying within various Universities

* Inmates at correctional facilities

* People who have been released from jail/prison and who are reintegrating back into society

* Non-profit organizations

* Community events

If you are interested in having members of SOSOLO speak to you your group, please do not hesitate to contact us.